MEMPHIS CHESS

Monday, February 28, 2011

USCF recognizes GM Nakamura's ties to Memphis!

From the USCF!

GM Hikaru Nakamura could be seen wandering the streets of Memphis from February 16-22. What in the world was he doing in Memphis, you might ask? No, he didn’t get lost. He took a break from his role at the Chess Club and Scholastic Center of Saint Louis to meet with friends, help promote chess and let people know about the super Mid-South Chess summer camp. This year’s camp at the Lausanne Collegiate School from June 5-10, 2011 will stand out among the nine others that they organized. The star-studded cast of instructors includes Grandmaster Alex Stripunsky, newly-elected Grandmaster Robert Hess, International Master Raja Panjwani, and Women’s International Master Alisa Melekhina. For more information, see http://www.chesscamp.us/.

Nakamura has visited Memphis often as he loves spending time with friends. He could be seen relaxing and enjoying a few drinks on Beale Street (at places that he loves like Silky’s and BB King’s) and listening to jazz music or going to a show at the Orpheum.
For the entire interview click here!

Saturday, February 26, 2011

Women in Chess history.

Women have been involved in the encouragement

and growth of Chess through the centuries.

I hope you find the following trivia interesting.

As only those who know or care for the game subscribe to chess books,the three hundred principal names on Philidor's edition of 1777, affords a significant proof of the extraordinary appreciation and support of the game,throughout the period of his ascendancy, viz.., from 1746 to 1795,

Twenty-six ladies of title grace that list,
which contains a large proportion of the nobility, cabinet ministers, men distinguished in science, and at the bar, and on the bench, and several eminent divines.

Prince Leopold's support of chess, and encouraging remarks concerning it at Oxford, in Scotland and at the Birkbeck, had much to do with the taste for the game which sprung up among the humbler working classes, and which happily has been continuously though steadily progressing.

One of our most genial and reliable chess editors has recently informed us, on very high authority, that even our Most Gracious Majesty Queen Victoria, has at times shewn an appreciation of chess.

Three years after the commencement of her reign the first County Chess Association, was formed in Yorkshire. There were at this time but twelve chess clubs in this country The year 1849 signalised the first Chess tournament found on record, it took place at Simpson's and Mr H. T. Buckle writer and author, the best amateur at this time, came forth first. This was two years before the first world's International Chess Tournament of 1851, was held in London, of which the Prince consort was patron, since then thirty-four National tournaments and forty-eight country meetings, and twenty University matches between Oxford and Cambridge have taken place.

Quoted from:
CHESS HISTORY AND REMINISCENCES,
by H. E. (Henry Edward) Bird.

GM Hikaru Nakamura - more pictures from Memphis

GM Hikaru Nakamura, visits Memphis.

Friday, February 25, 2011

Cheaper membership cost to Greater Memphis Chess Center

♥ Money Saving Tips For You ♥

I was talking recently to someone from the MCC about the rates between the Memphis Chess Club membership dues and the Greater Memphis Chess Centers dues. I said that I would make a new post to make it a little clearer and more direct, so here goes.

For those parents that have one child playing chess and are under 20 years old, buy your membership through the MEMPHIS CHESS CLUB instead of through the GREATER MEMPHIS CHESS CENTER. Folks, it will save you money.

According to the MEMPHIS CHESS CLUB the dues for one, under 20 years old, is just $20.00, the same membership allows the member the advantage's of the MEMPHIS CHESS CLUB at the Greater Memphis Chess Center activities.

If you purchase your membership through the Greater Memphis Chess Center it may be suggested that you purchase a FAMILY membership instead of an individual membership.

Now, it seems that according to the person I recently talked to, that there is an unpublished (SECRET - I GUESS) additional fee of $10.00 for the Memphis Chess Club members to the Greater Memphis Chess Center. Even with the additional fee, that would still make the cost for the individual under 20 year old much less if purchased through the Memphis Chess Club instead of purchasing through the Greater Memphis Chess Center.

THE POINT IS TO BUY THROUGH THE MEMPHIS CHESS CLUB!

Be sure to check the membership cost through each club directly and make sure to ask if you are getting the most economical rate.

After all folks, they are operating in the same building, the TD for the rated events has been done by the Memphis Chess Club's TD, Gary Pylant, so far.

Therefore take advantage of the savings!

No reason for you to pay a higher rate for the same services just to help pay the rent.

Good luck with your chess adventures!

Everyone have a Chess Cupcake, wonderful weekend!